The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo is a hand-drawn and animated point’n click game. It is developed by the studio Gammera Nest and is available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. This review is based on the Xbox Series X version.
A Silent and Emotional Tale
The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo puts you in the shoes of Mr. Coo, a yellow creature reminiscent of some iconic figures from old cartoons. The story is told without words, relying entirely on the gestures and expressions of the characters as well as the soundtrack. The game begins with Mr. Coo being divided into three parts that must be reassembled. You are then immersed in a universe with an ambiance reminiscent of Fantasia.
Puzzles from “Good” to “Frustrating”
In terms of gameplay, The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo offers a 2D point’n click adventure solely based on puzzles. These are really funny and well thought out at the beginning of the game. Unfortunately, in the last third, they become too obscure due to a lack of visibility on the possibilities. I even had to use a walkthrough for a specific part. The developers have implemented a help system but, from what I tried on the second run, it is not very useful. It provides information only on the “easy” part of the puzzles, which greatly limits its interest. Also noteworthy is the presence of a few bugs that required me to restart the game. Nothing too dramatic, but it shows a certain lack of polish.
Overall, I enjoyed solving the game’s puzzles but I must admit that I was really frustrated in the last third. Count between 1h30 and 2h30 to complete it. Once finished, the game offers you to start again to collect leaves but honestly, I did not see the point as they are not really hidden and you have to solve the same puzzles again.
A Hand-Drawn Artistic Masterpiece
The most impressive aspect of The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo is undoubtedly its artistic style. Each scene is hand-animated by the artist Nacho Rodriguez, giving the game a unique and organic feel. You can feel the artist’s love for old cartoons, somewhat in the style of Cuphead. The sound ambiance, composed by Julie Reier, perfectly complements the visuals, creating an immersive experience. On these aspects, the game is a huge favorite.
A Raw Diamond
| The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo is a game that stands out for its incredible artistic style and sound ambiance. Although short, with a playtime of about two hours, it offers a unique experience that, for me, justifies its price of 20€ (you do buy DVDs/Blu-Rays at this price). However, some bugs and a few poorly thought-out puzzles tarnish the enjoyment a bit. Despite these issues, it remains a memorable title if you are looking for artistry in a video game. | |
Good |
|
